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Chapters (44)
  1. Title Page
  2. One: Into the Storm
  3. One
  4. Two
  5. Three
  6. Four
  7. Five
  8. Six
  9. Seven
  10. Two: London Calling
  11. Eight
  12. Nine
  13. Ten
  14. Eleven
  15. Twelve
  16. Thirteen
  17. Fourteen
  18. Fifteen
  19. Three: The Malignant Seven
  20. Sixteen
  21. Seventeen
  22. Eighteen
  23. Nineteen
  24. Twenty
  25. Twenty-One
  26. Twenty-Two
  27. Twenty-Three
  28. Four: Squirrels and Cats
  29. Twenty-Four
  30. Twenty-Five
  31. Twenty-Six
  32. Twenty-Seven
  33. Twenty-Eight
  34. Twenty-Nine
  35. Thirty
  36. Thirty-One
  37. Thirty-Two
  38. Five: Revelation
  39. Thirty-Three
  40. Thirty-Four
  41. Thirty-Five
  42. Thirty-Six
  43. Thirty-Seven
  44. About the Author

Black said, “Professor Fell is going to Italy to find a mirror that can call a demon up from the depths of the underworld. This mirror was created by an Italian sorcerer and a man who though obsessed was not fully cognizant of what he was creating … or, afterward, what he possessed. From this enchanted glass can be summoned a creature to do the bidding of its caller. There is some risk involved, naturally, and a careful procedure to be followed. It would be akin to calling up a wild beast and riding upon its back … but … the benefits could be enormous. Think of it, sir. A creature that for a short time is bound to do your bidding. What would you desire? Riches? More than you possess now? Power? More than you have now? Or … beauty. That too would be within your power to command. Think of it, sir. A creature that could conceivably give you anything—anything—your heart or mind might desire.

“Professor Fell believes this mirror exists and can be found,” Black continued. “I do, as well. Of course I do. My master has told me. It does exist, it can be found, and it can be used. I want the mirror as much as Fell does—even more, I believe, and I intend to get it. My master has told me it is within reach. But my master challenges me, sir. He will not tell me exactly where the mirror is. It is up to me to find it. And to find it, I need a fast ship unencumbered by other passengers to follow the Essex Triton.”

The man who sat in shadow did not move nor did he speak.

“I have a goodly amount of money from the recent sale of White Velvet,” Black said, “but my supply is running low. I could charter a private ship, as the professor has done, but as I say I need a fast ship, and one that I know will be captained by a man of your experience who will not lose pace. Therefore I come to you, sir, to ask for the use of the Nemesis, in order to follow Professor Fell to the mirror. He is being led there by the young man Corbett, who has experience with the Herrald Agency. How they have come together in partnership is a mystery even my master cannot solve, but there it is. I need the Nemesis and I am willing to pay.”

The man who sat in shadow did not speak for a time. At last he said, “You say you are selling an idea. This is it? An enchanted mirror?”

“The idea I am selling,” said Black, “is that there would be two compartments aboard the Nemesis, and two equal partners in search of a mirror—a well-documented item, by the way—that could give up riches, or power, or beauty beyond measure. One compartment for me, one compartment for yourself.”